Which cars have 44mm struts (with inserts)??

[Mystery Machine]

Does anyone know of any cars that have 44mm OD strut bodies that have inserts?

Most of the ones I know (or have on the shelf) have 50mm OD struts - the inserts from which are too big for what I'm looking for.

Dez has suggested Mk1 MR2 struts which I have briefly researched but can't currently find any conclusive info.

If anyone does know of any cars that have this size, please let me know. Thanks, many of.....

[Robinxr4i]

I'll see what I can find out at work tomorrow, pretty sure we've got a QH catalog which list damper type, diameter, length and stroke.

[Mystery Machine]

LEGEND! Thanks Robin.

My struts are 44mm OD but because they're sealed I can't check the ID. I guess anything that'll fit into a 44mm strut will be a great start. I'll get some measurements of the open/closed length ASAP.

Thanks again Amigo.

[RobinJI]

www.monroe.com/assets/downloads/english/08_MountingLengthSheet.pdf

Page 21/22 suggests that T1 and T2 strut inserts are 38.1mm diameter, which I'd guess is about right for a 44mm OD strut. (3mm wall thickness sounds about right?). You can pick which lengths would be best then cross-reference the part numbers in the search box on the left of their home page (www.monroe.com) to see what cars they came from. Damn handy site for cross-referencing suspension!

Edit, assuming you're after the shortest possible, (I'd say that's quite fair with this being you ) then it looks like the 72826, which is from a mk1 Golf, so should be way easier to get hold of (There is one from an '80s Corrola that's 2.5mm shorter compressed length, but it's actually a longer strut body.)

Mk1 MR2 are 72880 front, 73238 rear, the fronts are the same 38.1mm diameter as the golf/corrola struts, but they're 2" longer compressed (full dimensions in ^ that link).

[Mystery Machine]

AWESOME!!

That's why I love this place. Robin, thank you so much for that. I'd actually been looking on the Monroe site and even started browsing through that PDF, but lost the will to live before I got as far as pg15, let along pg21! (I guess I was trying to analyse every shock!!)

When I get back on Thurs I'll get some measurements of my existing shocks and work back from there.

Fingers crossed I might be able to make something work!

Thanks again guys...

[mdh]

I'm intrigued now....

[Mystery Machine]

Jul 17, 2012 23:05:35 GMT mdh said:

I'm intrigued now....

...and I'm intrigued to know why you haven't let me know what day you intend to descend on the unit yet?

"Make sure you give me as much notice as possible" I seem to recall. I dunno, some people? ;D

[stealthstylz]

Mk1 Golf are same diameter as mk1-3 polo are they not?

[ben711200]

Jul 17, 2012 23:41:22 GMT stealthstylz said:

Mk1 Golf are same diameter as mk1-3 polo are they not?

They don't use sealed inserts though, do they?


I may be wrong..

[Robinxr4i]

I've had little or no joy can't find the old book and it appears the new one is rubbish.

[Philj]

You used to be able to buy inserts for the Mk1 Golf strut, which did fit in a polo strut body iirc, but only when shortened for use as a coilover. The polo strut tapers to a smaller diameter at the bottom and has a M12 top nut, the Mk1 Golf uses an M14.

The Audi 80 has 40mm OD inserts which could work with a collar?

If you find a pair you want to try, I might be able to do an uprated and shortened insert pretty cheap.

[Mystery Machine]

Thanks for all the input and help guys.

It's not just inserts I'm looking for, but the strut bodies too so that I can convert my current struts to take inserts (currently 44mm OD bodies but sealed units)

Short of having my hubs machined out to accept bigger struts this is the only way I can think to give my car some suspension travel and get it a bit lower.

I'll have a look out for some Mk1 MR2 struts and also some Mk1 Golf struts.....and let y'all know how I get on.

Thanks again. ;D

[RobinJI]

Assuming this is for what I think it is, then the MR2 struts won't actually give you any more travel unless you can move them further through the hub like you did with the rascal, (your current ones are 14.3", mr2 are 14.5" iirc).

Golf ones are already 2" shorter than yours, and you may even be able to get shortened versions from a golf lowering kit. I can measure the TA technix coilovers (originally bought new from Philj) on my Scirocco to see if they're any shorter next time I'm at my dads if you want? A set of them with the mounts swapped to fit your hubs might be a nice solution, it's a similar weight car too, and they're a great set-up for a daily on the 'rocco.

[Mystery Machine]

Jul 19, 2012 19:39:51 GMT RobinJI said:

Golf ones are already 2" shorter than yours, and you may even be able to get shortened versions from a golf lowering kit. I can measure the TA technix coilovers (originally bought new from Philj) on my Scirocco to see if they're any shorter next time I'm at my dads if you want? A set of them with the mounts swapped to fit your hubs might be a nice solution, it's a similar weight car too, and they're a great set-up for a daily on the 'rocco.

Thanks Robin,

I haven't had chance to measure mine yet, but if what you're saying it correct then I guess the Golf ones will be a better solution. Are the TA Tecknix removable inserts? I thought they were sealed units (and 50mm+ bodies)

Thanks again Dude.

[camerashy]

I have brand new struts for an mk1 MR2 that are going in the Z, as well as brand new 280Z struts also going in the Z. Can do photos with measurements tomorrow evening (late your time) will also caliper the Z strut housings for ID, OD etc.

[beejay]

IIRC the BMW E30 has 45mm OD struts if they're any use They were fitted to the 4-pot engine cars, the bigger ones and Tourings had 51mm.

[Al Ramone]

MK1 Golf front struts are 50mm OD.

and the inserts vary depending on manufacturer.

I'd think that most would fit 44mm OD struts thou.

i know some early datsuns have 44mm strut bodies...... ;D

[RobinJI]

The TA Technix on the 'rocco are definitely removable inserts, I've removed them before and everything

Thinking about it I think you might be right about the diameter, the struts could well be 50mm, as I think I remember the inserts not being a tight fit. Still, as long as the inserts are narrow enough, there's nothing to stop you lopping the bottom off some golf struts and the top off your ones and sleeving the two halves together. In fact it may even be easier than swapping just the mounts.